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11 Oct 2024

Diddy Sex Crimes Trial Date Set For May 2025

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2023 MTV Video Music Awards - Press Room

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Sean “Diddy” Combs is going to trial, but he’s going to be sitting in jail for months. The disgraced music mogul’s trial date has been set to start in May 2025.

Per various reports, Judge Arun Subramanian scheduled a trial date of May 5, 2025 at a hearing on Thursday, October 10. Diddy’s legal team had reportedly requested the trial to occur in April or May.

However, while the defense got a date they wanted, Diddy was once again denied bail, his third attempt at a pre-trial release.

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Diddy was arrested in New York City on September 16 and has been jailed at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on charges that include racketeering and sex trafficking.

The “Been Around The World” rapper has pleaded not guilty while the court of public opinion has been slamming him ever since his former girlfriend and ex-Bad Boy artist Cassie sued him back in late 2023. That lawsuit essentially set everything in motion, with soon after its settlement multiple lawsuits were filed alleging similar accounts of sexual abuse, a video surfaced of Diddy beating on Cassie (that confirmed an account described in her lawsuit) and in September, Diddy’s indictment.

Combs’ mother, Janice Combs, who recently described her son’s prosecution as a lynching, was in attendance along with several of his children.

11 Oct 2024

GloRilla’s ‘Glorious’ Album: All 15 Songs Ranked

It’s been the year of GloRilla and she looks to cap off her 2024 with a successful release of her debut album, GLORIOUS, which arrived on Friday (Oct. 11).

Big Glo season is here. Coming into her anticipated debut LP, Big Glo set the stage with her Ehhthang Ehhthang mixtape earlier this year and supported “Wanna Be” collaborator Megan Thee Stallion on her Hot Girl Summer Tour, which ran through arenas across North America.

GLORIOUS boasts 15 tracks in total along with special guest appearances from a range of collaborators like Sexyy Red, Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, Kirk Franklin, T-Pain, Fridayy, Bossman Dlow, Muni Long and more.

The CMG rhymer set the table with thunderous singles “TGIF” and “HOLLON,” which invaded the Billboard Hot 100 chart and sit at No. 28 and No. 95, respectively.

“I was praying for it, I didn’t know if it was gonna come or not. I was praying for it and manifesting it,” she told Billboard News of her recent success. “I said I’ma give them the mixtape first get ’em back used to me, give ’em a feel of me and that’s gonna prep me for the album. Mixtape did good — did what it’s supposed to do, which prepped me for my album.”

Rihanna even publicly clamored for Glo to drop her album in July — and when RiRi comes calling, you deliver. Three months later, she’s delivered for Rih and her millions of fans with GLORIOUS‘ arrival as Glo looks to cement her status as one of female rap’s titans.

Stream the project below and check out our rankings of all 15 songs from worst to best.

11 Oct 2024

Executive Turntable: Sphere CFO Exits, Plus BMG Appoints HR Chief and a ‘Voice’ Vet Laces Up at Raedio

Time to drop the needle on the latest Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music.

Read on for mostly good news and also check out Billboard‘s annual list of music’s highest compensated executives, plus our weekly interview series spotlighting a single executive, our helpful calendar of notable events, and have you ever wanted to look at tchotchkes inside the office of an executive while reading their in-depth answers to the most important questions facing the biz? From the Desk Of is probably your jam.

Sphere Entertainment announced the departure of David Byrnes, the company’s executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. Byrnes will remain in his role during a transition period while the company searches for a new CFO. The NYC-based media executive has been Sphere’s finance lead since January of this year and held that same position at MSG Entertainment before that. During his tenure at Sphere and MSG, he has played a key role in major transactions including the spin-off of MSG Entertainment, the sale of a majority interest in Tao Group Hospitality, and two stock offerings. Byrnes joined MSG following a nearly 14-year run in senior roles at CBS (and later ViacomCBS), rising to executive vp of corporate finance and then exiting prior to the company’s name change to Paramount Global in early 2022. Byrnes has not announced his next move.

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Sphere Entertainment, which opened its spectacle-invoking Las Vegas venue in September 2023 with U2’s residency, has since hosted live-wired artists including Phish, Dead & Company and current residents Eagles (they play tonight and tomorrow), and multimedia shows like Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard from Earth. During its fiscal year ending June 30, Sphere reported $273.4 million in revenue and full-year revenue of $1.03 billion, nearly double the prior year’s $573.8 million.

Meanwhile…

BMG appointed Melanie McAllister as its global chief human resources officer (CHRO), effective Nov. 1. Reporting to CEO Thomas Coesfeld, she will join the executive board and oversee key HR functions across 20 offices, including hiring, performance, development, DE&I and aligning HR strategies with overarching business goals. McAllister brings extensive experience from her previous roles as Chief People Officer at EasyPark Group and Megaport, and nearly a decade as Chief HR Officer at Arvato. She has also held senior HR positions at Oracle and other global tech firms and holds a Master’s in Strategic HR from Liverpool JM University and serves on the board of ENABLE Trust. Coesfeld expressed enthusiasm for McAllister’s role in shaping BMG’s future, adding “Her expertise, vision, and proven track record of combining innovative thinking with people excellence will have a transformative impact on our company.”

Johnny Pinchard was promoted to head of A&R at Believe UK, advancing from his role as senior A&R Manager. Reporting to Malena Wolfer and Panos Polymatidis, he’ll continue working from the London office. Since joining Believe from RCA Records in 2021, Pinchard has signed notable artists like Sea Girls, who reached No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart, and rapper Blanco, who has earned over 140 million streams in less than a year. He also signed Grammy-nominated electronic artist HAYLA, who won Vocalist of the Year at the 2024 EDMA’s. Pinchard is committed to developing new talent, including Sainte, Leon Vynehall, Grace Davies, and Sevdaliza. Believe UK Managing Director Alex Kennedy praised Pinchard as being “absolutely vital in identifying, signing and developing a wide range of artists that have formed the cornerstone of our success and that fit the Believe ethos perfectly.”

Jessica Vaughn

Jessica Vaughn

Raedio appointed Jessica Vaughn as vp of creative synch sales, a new role at the audio company. Vaughn will lead efforts to expand Raedio’s music library and sync services, aiming to deliver “Audio Everywhere.” Her responsibilities also include developing growth strategies for Raedio’s one-stop music library and collaborating with industry partners to secure music placements across film, television, advertising and gaming. Outside of her day job, Vaughn is a veteran singer-songwriter who gained attention in the late aughts as Charlotte Sometimes, releasing her debut album on Geffen and appearing on the sophomore season of The Voice. She now performs and records under the name LACES. In 2023, Vaughn penned a guest column for Billboard advocating for more creatives joining executive ranks across the industry.

Canvas Music onboarded former Spotify UK & Ireland managing director Tom Connaughton as partner and senior advisor of the independent boutique distributor. Connaughton joins to support Canvas Music’s mission of offering artist-centered, indie label-like distribution services. Canvas was launched in 2020 by Richard Lyne, who said the company’s goal is to “provide a great service with a great product but with more focus and less volume.” Connaughton expressed excitement about joining and highlighted the potential of Canvas to bride the gap between artists, tech and audiences in a “fair, artist-centered way.” Connaughton hit the exits at Spotify in late 2023 after five years in leadership roles at the streaming giant. Prior to Spotify, he served in various roles at Vevo.

Ineffable Records appointed Sage Ressler as head of synch, effective immediately. Ressler previously worked at Spirit Music Group, where she negotiated licensing deals and secured placements across a plethora of media formats. At Ineffable, she will work with marquee artists across the reggae, indie and Caribbean music spaces, including Sean Paul, Sublime, Govana, Protoje and Bob Marley: One Love star Hector “Roots” Lewis. Ressler will lead the label’s first formal synchronization department, which will focus on securing high-profile placements for the label’s catalog across film, TV, advertising, gaming and more. “The opportunity to help shape and lead the synch department feels like a natural next step for both myself and the company,” said Ressler. “Synch has become a uniquely powerful tool for storytelling, and it’s opening doors for artists in ways we’ve never seen before.” –Kyle Denis

NASHVILLE NOTES: Opry Entertainment Group promoted Jordan Pettit to vp of artist relations and Jenn Tressler to director of artist and industry relations. Pettit, who joined OEG in 2018 and has been instrumental in initiatives like Opry NextStage, will now lead OEG’s artist relations team, developing programs to strengthen artist and fan connections. Tressler has built strong industry relationships since joining OEG in 2020 and will continue to focus on creative artist engagement strategies, especially for the Grand Ole Opry … Rachel Derosia has been promoted to senior vp of comedy at Outback Presents. She’ll work with co-CEO Brian Dorfman and co-svp Joel Bachkoff to expand the division. The Rochester, NY native started her professional career in music, working at Sony Music before shifting to comedy at Zanies Comedy Club, later joining Outback Presents as a coordinator. She has managed and produced numerous tours, helping comedians transition from club to theater-level performances … Chandler Thurston joined Position Music’s A&R team as the first hire for their new Nashville office. Previously, he was senior creative director at Anthem Entertainment, managing talents like Jamie Paulin and Meghan Patrick, and overseeing hits such as Florida Georgia Line’s “Talk You Out of It.” Before Anthem, Thurston worked at Major Bob Music, where he helped sign and develop writers like Alysa Vanderheym. He’ll be based at Position Music’s Nashville office, set to open in Q3 of 2025.

Jaime Kelsall joined Paladin Artists, effective immediately, reuniting with former colleagues from APA and The Agency Group. Based in Los Angeles, Kelsall brings over 20 years of experience, having represented clients like Dionne Warwick, Fitz and the Tantrums, ZZ Ward, and Michelle Branch. She began her career as an intern at the House of Blues in New Orleans, later working at Absolute Artists Agency in San Francisco, where she met Paladin partner Bruce Solar. Kelsall then joined The Agency Group in Los Angeles before spending over 20 years at APA. “We are all thrilled have the talented Jaime Kelsall join our team at Paladin,” said Solar. “We are excited to have her continue her journey with us that started so long ago and bringing her expertise and professionalism to our company.”

ALL IN THE FAMILY: Fairchild Media Group, a division of Billboard parent Penske Media Corporation, promoted Jim Fallon to chief content officer for WWD and FMG. Fallon, with 45 years of industry experience, will oversee editorial and content creation for FMG’s brands, including WWD, Beauty Inc, Sourcing Journal, and Footwear News. Reporting to CEO Amanda Smith, Fallon will focus on enhancing brand positioning, expanding audiences, fostering collaboration, and developing new editorial products. Fallon previously served as editorial director of Fairchild Fashion Media and held leadership roles at Fairchild Publications, including editor of WWD.

ICYMI:

Eric Wong

Eric Wong

Warner Music said Eric Wong will shift from chief marketing officer to the role of global head of A&R, recorded music. He’ll also assume the presidency of East West Records. As part of that transition, WMG’s evp of global marketing Jessica Keeley-Carter has been promoted to chief marketing officer, recorded music … Chris Moncada is promoted to COO at MNRK Music Group … and former C3 Presents promoter Sophie Lobl was named vp of Rolling Stone Live. [KEEP READING]
Last Week’s Turntable: Sweet Relief Makes It Official With Executive Director

11 Oct 2024

Glastonbury Festival Announces Ticket Details For 2025 Edition

Glastonbury Festival’s ticket release is one of the most eagerly — and dreaded — days for British music fans. The performing arts festival, which began in 1970, is a staple of the summer’s festival scene and the 210,000 tickets usually sell out instantly amidst queues and a scramble to secure passes.

Now the festival has announced the on-sale process for 2025’s edition. The ticket sale will begin on Nov. 14 for coach and ticket packages at 6 p.m. GMT, and then a general sale will commence on Nov. 17 at 9 a.m. GMT. The festival will take place June 25-29, 2025.

Hopefuls will need to pre-register with the festival prior to the sale. The deadline for registration is Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. GMT. Those who have already registered for the festival in previous years need not apply again. You can register here.

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Tickets will cost £373.50 ($494) plus £5 booking fee. A £75 ($98) deposit will be required upon booking, with the remaining amount to be paid by the first week of April 2025. Any tickets returned will be entered into a resale later that month.

The festival, which takes place in Somerset, England frequently attracts international superstars for headline appearances on the hallowed Pyramid Stage.

In 2024, the festival was headlined by Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA, and recent performers also include Elton John, Paul McCartney, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish and more.

The lineup for 2025’s festival is yet to have been announced though it will arrive in stages over the coming months. 

Oasis have shot down rumors that they will appear at the festival next summer as part of their Live ‘25 reunion tour. Another heavily rumored artist Olivia Rodrigo has announced a pair of shows for June 30 and July 1 in Manchester. Rodrigo last performed on The Other Stage at 2022’s edition.

11 Oct 2024

Alicia Keys Readies New ‘Uncharted’ Documentary: ‘Everything Done In This Film Was Done by Women’

From her five Billboard 200 No. 1 albums to her new Tony-winning Hell’s Kitchen musical, Alicia Keys is a true “Superwoman.” Now, “Girl on Fire” is looking to add to those superpowers with a new documentary titled Uncharted. The feature-length film is slated to premiere on Paramount+ on Oct. 22.

Uncharted promises an unflinching look at the lack of access and opportunity the music business grants young Black and brown women. Featuring several bright young songwriters — including rising Chicago R&B star Jean Deaux — Uncharted examines the young women’s respective journeys as they strive to break through the industry with the next big hit.

“Everything done in this film was done by women in every capacity,” Keys tells Billboard. “You get a true sense of the journey of these artists and the songwriting process which is so special.”

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Executive produced by Keys and directed by Emmy and Peabody Award winner Beth Aala, Uncharted takes fans behind the scenes of Keys’ She Is The Music songwriting camp. Launched in 2018, She Is The Music is an initiative founded by Keys, Grammy-winning engineer Ann Mincieli, Universal Music Publishing Group chairman and CEO Jody Gerson, and UTA partner and global head of music Sam Kirby Yoh. The campaign seeks to increase the number of women working in the global music industry, from songwriters to lighting directors.

Uncharted had its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival. Additional executive producers include Minicieli, Gerson, Kirby Yoh, Katie Couric, Dr. Stacy Smith, Brenda Robinson, Abby Rodriguez, Regina K. Scully, Geralyn White Dreyfous, and Abby Greensfelder’s Everywoman Studios for MTV Entertainment Studios.

Globally, Uncharted will exclusively premiere on Paramount+ in the U.K., Germany, Switzerland, and Austria on Oct. 23. The documentary will also exclusively premiere on the service in Japan on Nov. 15.

In addition to her five Billboard 200 chart-toppers, Alicia Keys has also earned four Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits, including 2001’s “Fallin’” (six weeks), 2007’s “No One” (five weeks), and 2009’s “Empire State of Mind” (with Jay-Z, five weeks). Her most recent non-holiday studio album, 2021’s Keys, reached No. 41 on the Billboard 200, spawning the Adult R&B Songs top 10 hit, “Best of Me” (No. 8). Recently, Keys was named an Honorable Mention in Billboard’s ranking of the 25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century.

Click here to view the official Uncharted trailer.

11 Oct 2024

Meg Donnelly Signs Label Deal With Range Music

Range Media Partners’ Range Music label has signed Disney star Meg Donnelly to a recording contract, the company announced Friday (Oct. 11). The label is distributed through Capitol Music Group and Virgin Music & Artist Label Services.

Best known for her roles in the Zombies film franchise and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Donnelly is currently working on new music and released the single “by my heart” on Friday. A press release adds that she has completed her work on the Zombies series after six years.

Range Music partner Jared Cotter, who also co-manages Shaboozey, led the signing.

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“I’ve admired Meg’s talent and tenacity for years, and I’m thrilled to finally have the opportunity to work with her,” Cotter said in a statement. “She is a genre-melding artist that has had multi-format success, and Range Music is uniquely positioned to help her reach superstar status. We’re very much looking forward to being a part of her journey to the top.”

Donnelly was named Radio Disney’s NBT (Next Big Thing) in 2018 and has since performed alongside artists including the Jonas Brothers, Avril Lavigne and Alessia Cara; she also recently opened for Doja Cat. In February, she released the single “title,” a collaboration with the producer Tenroc. Her creative director is Max Pham, who has worked with A-listers including Ariana Grande, Justin Timberlake and Rosalía.

Kasual Kas, who manages Donnelly at Big Wins Only, said the team “chose Range because of their incredible creative team and what they’ve been able to build. It feels really special. Their entire staff felt young, hungry, and really understood the long-term vision for Meg as an artist so it was an easy decision for us. On the business side, Range was also extremely flexible and understood that deals are structured differently now for artists, and they made sure to champion ownership. We were in talks with many labels, but this one truly felt like a partnership and that’s what we always wanted.”

Added Kristina Mazzolla, who also serves on Donnelly’s management team: “Meg is an undeniable superstar, who is so certain in her vision and was willing to hold out until the right partner came along. For Meg, that partner was Range. After the release of ‘title,’ it was clear Range truly understood the path Meg is carving out for herself. The sky’s the limit for Meg and I am excited for the world to experience her as an artist.”

Launched in 2020, the Range Media music division is led by managing partners Matt Graham, Jack Minihan, Tyler Henry, Melissa Ruderman, Chris Thomas, Evan Winiker, Cory Litwin and Shawn McSpadden, along with partners Rachel Douglas, Ace Christian, Joel Zimmerman and Cotter.

11 Oct 2024

Majo Aguilar Walks Through Her Onstage Fashion in ‘Cultura a Tu Manera’ | Billboard News

Ahead of her performance at Billboard Latin Music Week, Majo Aguilar spoke about her Mexican heritage in a new video series, “Cultura a Tu Manera.” Check out how the singer incorporates history and culture into her unique stage style — with a splash of Smirnoff ICE.

Also, RSVP is open for Aguilar’s performance as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to secure your spot!

Majo Aguilar:
I would define my style as honest and fun. I really like to have fun with fashion. Hi, I’m Majo Aguilar and I’ve joined Billboard and Smirnoff ICE for Culture Your Way.

I love being creative with my style. I like to personalize my outfits with accessories that go with my personality. For me, the charro suit is like wearing a superhero suit. Incorporating it into my style was something very special because I changed it to fit my personality better. I avoid using only dark colors, but colors that allow me to have fun. I have all the colors you can imagine. And then, I saw that I could express myself freely without being so judged. It makes me feel super special and style is a wonderful way to unite with the love that you feel towards your country, my beautiful Mexico. Add the finishing touch to your drink.

11 Oct 2024

From ‘Chicago Fire’ to the Charts: Daniel Kyri Gets Vulnerable on New Single ‘Maybe’

Daniel Kyri may be best known for his starring role in NBC’s Chicago Fire, but the actor is starting to turn up the heat on his burgeoning music career as well.

Case in point: Kyri’s new single “Maybe,” which debuts today with a moving music video that depicts two lovers in a literal push and pull as they navigate the thrills and thralls of a modern-day relationship. One of the few music videos to depict two queer Black men in love, “Maybe” confronts the age-old question of whether you should fight for someone and try to make it work, or let them go and let fate take its course.

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The slow-burning, emotionally-charged track is as layered as the subject matter, with Kyri’s soothing voice layered over a mix of minimalist R&B, pop and afrobeats.

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Kyri says he first started writing the song in 2022, but wasn’t able to fully finish it until last year. “I was in one of the most toxic relationships of my life,” he tells Billboard, “and I remember wanting so badly for it to be something good, something healthy…something it wasn’t. And turns out that was extremely painful.”

“Writing ‘Maybe,’” he says, “was a way to process the loneliness and uncertainty that come with those moments where you’re stuck between wanting to hold on and knowing you should let go. This song lives in the space between decisions, in the doubt and in the fragile hope of possibility.”

Directed by Vincent Martell and Jordan Phelps, with choreography by Vic Musoni, the accompanying music video was a way for Kyri to visualize his internal conflict. “[The video] shows us two lovers literally pushing and pulling at each other, wrestling with power and submission, closeness and distance, tenderness, and passion,” the singer says. “We shot it in this old, run-down house because it felt symbolic of their love—what once was a safe, secure space is now falling apart around them.”

“Maybe” is Kyri’s second single, following his debut release “Dreamland Ave, which was released over the summer. Both tracks are expected to appear on the singer’s debut EP, due out next year.

While Chicago Fire just kicked off its 13th season, Kyri says he’s been grateful for the chance to showcase a different side to himself through music. “In acting there are all these pre-existing frameworks that I am performing within. I don’t have control over the words I’m saying, or the direction I’m getting, or even what makes it past the cutting room floor to the screen,” he explains. “Music has proven more expansive,” he continues. “I have more freedom and I can use my voice to tell a story that is important to me.”

What’s important to Kyri is using his voice — and his platform — to advocate for people who look like him and feel like him. The actor-turned-singer says he hopes listeners relate to his struggles and find hope in his journey, which continues to evolve each day. “I’m hungry for representation that models life as it actually is: messy, difficult, painful, beautiful,” he says. “I took my ‘L,’ turned it into a lesson, and I hope someone out there can relate.”

11 Oct 2024

RIIZE Announces Seunghan Will Return to K-Pop Group After 10 Months of Controversial Hiatus

After a nearly yearlong absence, the seventh member of breakout K-pop group RIIZE will rejoin his band mates.

RIIZE’s official social media accounts announced that Seunghan will gradually participate in select group activities starting in November, marking a return that’s been highly anticipated yet fraught with confusing controversy.

Beginning in August 2023, Seunghan’s break stemmed from pre-debut photos and videos of the young star leaking that ignited backlash within some of South Korea’s more conservative social climate. The images showed Seunghan in a bed with an unidentified woman and smoking a cigarette, leading to some fans labeling his actions as inappropriate for a K-pop idol and demanding his removal from RIIZE. Last November, the group’s label, SM Entertainment, announced that Seunghan would “halt activities indefinitely” while reflecting on his behavior with no further updates from the label in a decision that left fans and industry insiders forced to speculate about his future.

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The controversy surrounding Seunghan’s return reflected the broader tension between the global aspirations of K-pop artists and the expectations placed on them by domestic audiences. While RIIZE has earned international acclaim for music and the group’s authentic approach to social media and fan connection — highlighted in a Billboard digital cover touting them as “K-pop stars on the rise” from this past June — Seunghan’s situation highlights the pressure increasingly international idols face to uphold traditional values in a rapidly modernizing industry.

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In the statement, SM Entertainment acknowledged both Seunghan’s personal growth during his time away and the label’s internal deliberation on the timing of his return. While many fans will welcome his reappearance (an online petition requesting his return had 20,000 signatures), the decision to reintegrate him into RIIZE marks a pivotal moment in how the group will navigate its future trajectory both at home and abroad and, potentially, how the K-pop industry can more seamlessly navigate controversies of cultural clashes.

Seunghan followed up on the statement with a handwritten letter uploaded to RIIZE’s Weverse account, in which he apologized to his fans, company, and band mates. The 21-year-old shared that he questioned his future as a musician but pointed out that his RIIZE members Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee and Anton actually reached out to him.

“Because I caused such great disappointment, I continued to have more realistic thoughts such as, ‘Will I be able to stand on stage again?’” he wrote. “During that time, the members held my hand once again. It must have been a very difficult decision, and I am only filled with gratitude and apologetic feelings for giving me another chance. I know there is so much I need to show to the members who have taken my hand again, the fans who are worried that the achievements made in my absence might be tarnished, and the company that made the tough decision. Of course, I feel burden and fear about this.”

Earlier today (Oct. 10), RIIZE released the “KENZIE RE:WORKS” remix of their pre-release buzz single “Memories,” which dropped ahead of the septet’s official debut in September 2023.

Read the full statement below (with translation provided via Soompi):

To the BRIIZE [RIIZE’s fandom] who love RIIZE,

Hello, this is Wizard Production, who is in charge of producing for RIIZE.
We would like to cautiously make a statement regarding member Seunghan’s return and the direction of RIIZE’s future activities.

As the fans know, it has been around 10 months since Seunghan went on a hiatus from group activities due to issues with his pre-debut personal life.

Seunghan acknowledges that his past actions were wrong, and he has currently halted activities for nearly a year while deeply reflecting [on his actions] and feeling apologetic to the other members and his fans.
We also recognized that Seunghan’s past actions were not appropriate as an artist, which is why it took us a long time to debate the timing of his return to activities.

Because there was no announcement regarding Seunghan’s activities, the fans went beyond curiosity to become worried and concerned, and we empathize with those feelings. But as we continued to debate the matter from various angles, [our decision took some time], and we sincerely apologize for the fact that we are only now telling you our decision about the direction of RIIZE’s future activities.

We poured our heart and soul into planning out RIIZE even before their debut, and we have determined that RIIZE’s next chapter would be even more meaningful if the seven members were together. Therefore, after numerous discussions with the staff and members about the direction of the group’s future activities, it has been decided that Seunghan will be returning to the group.
After joining the group and preparing for a certain amount of time, we plan for Seunghan to gradually participate in some of the group’s scheduled activities for November and greet the fans once again.

Even during his hiatus, Seunghan has consistently worked to build his skills, and as he still has a lot to show you in the future, we hope that you will look warmly upon him.

Once again, we sincerely apologize for causing confusion and difficulty for the fans who have watched over and cheered for RIIZE’s growth.
However, as RIIZE is a group that aims to rise and realize their dreams together, the members think of the group as their top priority and are, even at this very moment, working hard to practice [for their future activities].
We ask that you trust our decision so that we can properly show the fans a RIIZE consisting of seven members.

We are certain that many people are curious about what RIIZE’s next chapter will be, how much farther they will rise, what sorts of dreams they are harboring, and how they will realize those dreams in the future.
Because we, the people who are the closest to RIIZE and who are also passionate fans of RIIZE ourselves, are also eagerly looking forward to RIIZE’s next chapter.

We will continue to work hard in the future to repay [the fans] with RIIZE’s great music and performances while sharing the members’ dreams.
We ask that you stay with the members and share all of their moments of rising and realizing that will continue to unfold in the future.

Seunghan’s Weverse letter (via Soompi):

Hello, this is Seunghan.

First of all, I sincerely want to apologize to the members and the fans. When the photos from before my debut were released, although they were photos of me, I was deeply disappointed and regretful about myself. If even I felt that way, I can’t even imagine how the members and fans by my side must have felt.

You must have been angry, shocked, and disappointed. I am truly sorry to the fans who supported us from the very beginning, which was such a crucial time, and to those who were hurt by my immature actions. I also feel sorry to the members, with whom I should have been working hard to move forward together, which led to my sudden suspension of activities. I want to apologize to everyone who had to endure and overcome that situation. I felt both sorry for the situation and a sense of despair at not being able to be with everyone.

Because I caused such great disappointment, I continued to have more realistic thoughts such as, “Will I be able to stand on stage again? Can I continue making music?”

During that time, the members held my hand once again. It must have been a very difficult decision, and I am only filled with gratitude and apologetic feelings for giving me another chance.

I know there is so much I need to show to the members who have taken my hand again, the fans who are worried that the achievements made in my absence might be tarnished, and the company that made the tough decision. Of course, I feel burden and fear about this aspect.

However, I am determined to work even harder and do better because of the trust placed in me.

I will strive to be a good member who takes responsibility and does not tarnish the achievements the members have built up. I want to become a necessary presence to the team RIIZE.

Once again, I want to apologize to the members and company staff who made the difficult decision and to the fans who must have been shocked. I will work more diligently and responsibly in the future.

11 Oct 2024

Stop Holding Your Breath, Rüfüs Du Sol’s ‘Inhale / Exhale’ Is Here: Stream It Now

Rüfüs Du Sol‘s much-anticipated fifth album, Inhale / Exhale, is finally here (Oct. 11), and fans have plenty to dive into.

Released via their label Rose Avenue Records and Reprise, the album sees the Australian trio continue to evolve while sticking to the emotional depth that has become their hallmark.

To celebrate the launch of their latest project, Rüfüs Du Sol held a pop-up gig on Sydney Harbour on Oct. 10. The trio performed in front of the iconic backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

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“To get to play in that venue, with that backdrop was so special,” frontman Tyrone Lindqvist told Australia’s ABC News Breakfast. “It’s the first show we’ve done semi-in the round where people were in front, to the sides and behind.

He added, “It was a very surreal pinch-yourself moment for me.”

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The lead-up to Inhale / Exhale has already been promising, with singles like “Break My Love,” which earned a spot in Billboard’s Friday Dance Music Guide as one of the best tracks of August. It’s a quintessential Rüfüs Du Sol track, driven by a pulsing beat and introspective lyrics that dig into themes of love and resilience.

“We want to try new things and, you know, step out of our comfort zone so on this record we did that a lot,” Lindqvist said.

The band even dropped a playful music video for the track, where they star as ’70s-era secret agents pulling off a heist.

The album itself follows up their Grammy-winning 2021 release Surrender, which earned them a Best Dance/Electronic Recording award for “On My Knees.”

Fans have come to expect a lot from the band, especially since their sound has become a go-to for the late-night festival scene, and Inhale / Exhale doesn’t disappoint, with the album offering 15 tracks that explore everything from euphoric dance beats to more experimental sounds,

The release of Inhale / Exhale also marks a new chapter in the band’s ongoing tour schedule. Just last month, they headlined San Francisco’s Portola Festival, and in 2025, they’re set to bring their sound to Lollapalooza’s South American editions.

You can stream Inhale / Exhale below.